BLESSINGS
What is a great way to inspire people?
Avraham Avinu had a formula. He had an open house where everyone was welcome to dine. After their meal, he implored them to recite a blessing to Hashem in gratitude. If the people responded satisfactorily, there was no charge. If people refused to follow his direction, he demanded that they pay a significant amount for their meal. His objective was to have them recognize their Creator. His charging a hefty price was with the hopes that he could sway even those who had not cooperated until that point, to express a blessing to Hashem.[1]
In response to the efforts of Avraham, Hashem communicated to him, “My Name was not known to My creations. You made Me known to them. By doing so, you are like a partner of Mine in the creation of the world.”[2]
Rabbe Meir taught, “A person is obligated to recite 100 Brachos, every day, for it states, ‘V’atah Yisrael mah Hashem Elokecha sho’el mei’imach, And now Yisrael, what does Hashem ask from you?”[3] Do not read it mah, what, but rather meah, 100.”[4] There are 100 letters in the sentence.[5] Meah is formed from three letters, Mem, Alef, and Hey. These letters reference three words found in blessings: Alef, for Elokeinu, our G-d; Mem for Melech, King; Hey for Ha’olam, of the world.[6]
The continuation of the sentence is revealing. “To fear Hashem your G-d.” How does someone attain Yiras Shamayim, Fear of Heaven? It is by saying the blessings.[7] Indeed, the Rambam states that many blessings were instituted in order that a person would always remember Hashem and have awe of Him.[8]
A brachah begins with Baruch Atah, Blessed are You. We are speaking directly to Hashem. When a person eats and says a blessing, he expresses that he is in the company of Hashem. That certainly affects having Yiras Shamayim, Fear of Heaven.
As the brachah continues, we go deeper. The next word is, Adon-i, our Master, King of the universe. There were 100 Adonim, silver sockets, that held up the boards of the Mishkan.[9] The sockets provided the support and anchor of the structure. So too, the 100 blessings, in which we mention Adon-i, Our Master, serves our foundation upholding Yiras Shamayim within us.[10]
Rav Chanina Par Pappa taught that whoever derives pleasure from this world (eats) without first saying a brachah, is a companion to Yerovam ben Nevat, who destroyed the bond that tied Klal Yisrael to their Father in Heaven.[11] Yerovam was a nefarious king entrenched in idol worship. Just as he led Klal Yisrael astray by inducing them to worship idols, so does one who eats without saying a brachah, lead people astray.
What is the comparison between outright wickedness to lack of piety? When people see someone eating without saying a brachah they see brachos being treated lightly and they will also do the same. In both cases, there was opportunity for Divine blessings that were lost. For that, each person is held accountable. In both cases one is called a chotei and machti, a sinner who brings others to sin.[12]
How do you inspire someone to connect with the Creator? We might think that the most effective way is with lengthy philosophical discussions. There is another factor and route. Let people hear brachos to the Creator being said.
In the presence of those who may not say brachos regularly, are we hesitant to say a brachah, concerned with others’ discomfort or do we realize the positive effects of an example we may set?
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Hershel D. Becker
[1] Breishis Rabbah Vayera 49:4
[2] Breishis Rabbah Lech Lecha 43:7
[3] Ekev 10:12
[4] Menachos 43b
[5] Tosefos
[6] Ben Yehoyada Menachos 43b
[7] Maharal
[8] Brachos Chapter 10 Halachah 1
[9] Pekudei 38:27
[10] Rav Dov Yaffeh in Savri Maranan as per Ba’al Haturim Pekudei 38:27
[11] Sanhedrin 102a
[12] Rashi Brachos 35b